Blue Shield of California Announces Mission-Driven, Healthcare Leader Mike Stuart as President and Chief Executive Officer

With decades of experience in nonprofit health care, Stuart's leadership will focus on strengthening Blue Shield's commitment to high-quality affordable healthcare coverage for all

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California today announced Mike Stuart as its new president and chief executive officer. A longtime executive and former chief financial officer of the nonprofit health plan, Stuart brings more than two decades of leadership experience in health care that will further Blue Shield's mission of providing access to high-quality care that's sustainably affordable for all.

"Mike Stuart is the right leader at the right time for Blue Shield of California," said Kristina Leslie, chair of the Blue Shield of California board of directors. "He has a deep understanding of our mission, our members and the complex healthcare landscape we operate in. Mike's financial expertise, collaborative approach and long-standing commitment to the nonprofit values that guide us make him uniquely positioned to lead our organization forward." 

As chief financial officer since 2022, Stuart has helped guide the organization through some of the most complex challenges the healthcare industry has faced. He has been instrumental in helping to make health care more affordable for Blue Shield's members, supporting provider partnerships and ensuring financial sustainability of the health plan while staying true to the company's nonprofit mission.   

"Our industry is facing extraordinary challenges — from rising costs to regulatory shifts and increasing demands for equity and access," Leslie said. "In this environment, we need a leader who not only understands the complexity of the healthcare system but also has the conviction and capability to drive real, sustainable change. Mike brings exactly that." 

As president and CEO, Stuart will lead over 6,500 employees who serve 6 million members with health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare health service plans in California and beyond. He is also deeply committed to advancing the organization's values across teams and partnerships, including recent collaborations to serve over 750,000 active-duty military members and their families, and expand our offerings for CalPERS members.  

"I am honored to lead Blue Shield of California at such a critical moment for our state and industry," said Stuart. "We have a responsibility as a nonprofit health plan to lead with integrity, partner with purpose and ensure care is both accessible and affordable. I'm proud to work alongside our talented leaders across the Ascendiun family of companies to build a healthcare system that works better for everyone." 

Stuart's experience spans finance, operations and systemwide transformation. Prior to joining Blue Shield, he spent 11 years in senior leadership roles at the Daughters of Charity Health System, giving him firsthand knowledge of the challenges providers face and the importance of aligning incentives to improve outcomes and access for patients. He holds an MBA in Finance from Saint Mary's College of California and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cal State Chico.  

About Blue Shield of California 

Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with 6 million members, over 6,500 employees and more than $27 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities.  

 For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.  

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SOURCE Blue Shield of California